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Apple //c Lolly prototype

H

HoJoPo

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During my excavations while volunteering, I found an Apple //e case that looked to have a bodged in Apple //c motherboard. Closer examination found that it was an Apple //c "Lolly" development testbed, with custom bottom mounting plate, modified //e case, //c motherboard to //e power supply adapter, and a //e keyboard to //c keyboard adapter. ROM is an EPROM, character ROM socket can take an EPROM or PROM (it's a PROM), the system boots and passes self test! Keyboard was damaged though, H key broken off the stem and Esc key damaged / stuck on. Tested with another //e keyboard and it works fine.

Apple IIc Lolly 1.jpgApple IIc Lolly 2.jpg

This will be going up for auction on eBay at some point. It doesn't have any Apple serial number or other stickers present. The case is present, just removed to take pictures since I needed to remove the keyboard for repair anyway...

A quick google of the adapter part numbers (SKA 139-00 for keyboard and SKA 140-00 for power supply) shows that one sold on e-bay back in 2011. So rare, but not one of a kind certainly...

That one was discussed on RetroMacCast's forums here: http://retromaccast.ning.com/forum/topics/apple-iic-prototype
 
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I'd love to see this system go up for bid.

Awhile back, I bought a IIc logic board, but didn't have a keyboard or power supply to run it. I found the prototype photos, and encouraged me to produce the keyboard and power supply adapters so I can test the logic board.

IMG_8943.jpg

The keyboard adapter basically simulates the keyboard switch and disk LED that is on the IIc keyboard. Cool project at the time, as it was the first time I had PCBs made.
 
I just finished repairing the keyboard for it (broken stem on keyswitch, replaced the keyswitch), so I should have it re-assembled tomorrow. I saw your adapters posted in the other thread, neat to see that the //c and //e had so much in common.

It'll be interesting to see if it gets as much now as the other one did back in 2011... the other one sold for over $1000. The case modifications on this one are identical to the other one, it's interesting that they have an early //e keyboard, but the later //e case construction.
 
The repaired keyboard works great and it's completely re-assembled and ready for sale. I did NOT test a disk drive connected to the internal disk port, but it passes the self test OK (CTRL-OA-CA-RESET).

The serial number on this one is #201, written at the front of the case below the keyboard in faded black sharpie. The one that sold in 2011 was #210. I wonder if Apple made 200+ of these for internal development use, or started numbering at 200 and went up from there?
 
groink said:
I'd love to see this system go up for bid.

Awhile back, I bought a IIc logic board, but didn't have a keyboard or power supply to run it. I found the prototype photos, and encouraged me to produce the keyboard and power supply adapters so I can test the logic board.

View attachment 38331

The keyboard adapter basically simulates the keyboard switch and disk LED that is on the IIc keyboard. Cool project at the time, as it was the first time I had PCBs made.
Click to expand...

The real Lolly adapter doesn't have a disk activity LED or power LED on it. The power light on the keyboard lights up just fine though, and I'm pretty sure they just plugged a Disk ][ into the internal port for testing... but I didn't try it.
 
This will be going up for auction soon, I'll post the auction in the thread once it is listed. The only other one of these sold on eBay for $2000 back in 2011.
 
Went over there to look at the //c and it really is very cool looking. The place is a HUGE junk yard for old computers. I loved seeing an old TRS-80, 8088's, etc. All donated stuff that is in disarray. But seeing that //c just made my day. Yes it works. Seeing it is a //c would a Disk 2 drive work? I have no idea if a internal //c drive has the same pin out or not. Dunno but next time I get a royal flush it's mine.
 
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